If Orford signs Deacon goes, if not he stays, simple as.


Source : Nick Scruton

If we do sign Deac's the one thing we can all agree on is that any deal will primarily be in Wigan's favour. IL is no mug and it will be a deal that fits in well with the SC structure at the club.

I’m quite excited about the signing really as it offers us a whole other set of options. One of our hookers or Hb’s will get injured next season and having a player like Deacs with all his SL experience will be a god send when it happens.

On the other hand reading on the Bradford board you’ve really gotta laugh. One poster is saying that signing Orford will make them challengers next season. I personally can’t see how one player will make that much of a difference to an average side and he’s also not the player he once was.

Bradford imo seem to have gone down the road we were on a few years back with mass changes and trying to buy their way out of trouble. I mean in this pre season alone they’ve lost Newton, Morrision, Burgess, Solomona, Tadulala and potentially Deacon and even tho they’ve signed some good/average players it’s a massive hit and a turn around to organise.

Once again you are making a different point to the one I have been making, of course he played his part, primarily with his goalkicking and a long kicking game, which has gone rapidly downhill for the last few years, but the organisation and leadership skills he is being credited for were always provided by James Lowes, when he retired and Deacon had to take on that role we were found wanting and brought in Iestyn Harris - who was much more effective at that part of the game.

When a mainstay like Lowes leaves it often takes a while for the void to be filled. It's not just a case of one player who is already in the side with a pre-defined role taking over that responsibility. I've never seen that happen at any club. I remember plenty games, where both Harris was and wasn't playing, where Deacon was instrumental in the gameplan. Not least a couple games against us at the JJB. However, I undestand the point you're trying to make and I accept that it's a valid viewpoint. I don't think Deacon is some kind of organisational guru but, at the same time, he was very adept at putting a gameplan into operation particularly, as you say, with his long kicking game. As many posters have already pointed out, this is the current perceived weakness with both our current halves, so the point that is being made regarding his possible or potential value to the current Wigan squad is also valid.

I don't mind if we sign Deacon as long as the decision is justified. I want to know that he will bring experience and is the best man for the job of bringing on our young half-backs, otherwise we are just getting some old player to cover which is not what we need really.

Last week I was at Huddersfield to watch England and NZ and sat next to a Bradford fan, a sensible one, who said Deacon gone, been a good player, perhaps but now struggling.

I find it hard to contemplate we are even thinking of this, if in doubt don't buy anyone, this is a bit like the Withers deal etc. a couple of years ago.

My view is only replace or add to people who are better than what we have and this is not the case here, maybe 5 years ago not now.

After watching us yesterday it shows where many of us know we are in standard and fitness, way lacking but this is another issue. Sometimes I despair of our attitude where so many people on here are prepared to accept mediocrity, perhaps that is all they have ever seen, or perhaps they think those idiots on Sky actually know what they are talking about. They have a large responsibility to where we are today.

If Deacon signs he will still most likely be one of our top 25 earning players even if he fits in with a salary cap structure that says "player approaching retirement = low wage".

The £1.6m cap is divided between the top 25 earning players so when people say or assume a player will be a good signing if he is on a low wage they forget he will still limit how [umany[/u signings we can make as he will take up one of those 25 slots.

If he wasn't one of out top 25 earners then his wage would have to come out of the extra £50K pot of money set aside for young players on low wages who get a game - so it would eat into that.

Now given the average wage of a top 25 player is £64,000 and we spend to the full cap (as stated by IL recently) I reckon you want as many of these top 25 players not to be stop gap signings as possible. That is either established senior pros at the top of their game or approaching it or young players like Tomkins on their way up.

It seems a bit if a waste to use one of these 25 slots to bring a player in on a low (but still top 25 wage) who is neither.

Yes I can see the need for cover at half back but I reckon he will take up one of those 25 slots and thus possibly prevent us from signing another player regardless of how much he is paid.


Dave

According to Australian Daily Telegraph Orford signed for Bradford on 500,000 Aus Dollars a year for 3 years, which depending upon whichever you view at the moment is between 1.72 to 1.79 to £, work it out.

Orford is a very good player but 500k for 3 years is not progress in my view, Bradford will have a lot of old Aussies now, basically an exchange of Burgess for Orford. As I said before I don't want an oldish Bradford reject in Deacon, let us be progressive not like this.

Deacs has been out with shaun wane having a drink for a few weeks now. I asked Paul last night ( I went to school with him) outside the john bull 'When are you coming to Wigan paul?' To which he replied 'I'm already here?'. That told me!

Other than Menzies (outstanding for us last year) and (if confirmed) Orford, who might those be?

Manly confirm Orford move: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Good luck to Deacon.

Manly confirm Orford move: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Good luck to Deacon.

Yeah I didnt get that one either



With regards to the possible Orford signing, the proof will be in the pudding. But from a Bradford point of view I would prefer Orford starting over Deacon next year.

However, for you guys he will be cover and a great guy to guide your young lads. Suits both clubs in my opinion.

For me, although a long way from competing, we dont have a bad team for next year.

Most un-informative post ever.

AUS$500k for 3 years works out at less than £100k per year for one of the best Aussie halfbacks.

$500K per year. A total of $1.5 Million. I think you'll find that's closer to £300,000 per year. (if the rumoured figures are correct of course)

I think he was making a point of the person he quoted saying it was 500 k for 3 years, even though i would say he was being a bit pedantic.

For once in the past few years it seems things have gone the Bulls way.

Not sure what you mean by that as the post he quoted was:

Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Quote The Manly Sea Eagles today announced the move of 2008 premiership captain and Dally M winner Matt Orford to the English Super League club Bradford Bulls. Orford had been negotiating a new two deal with the Sea Eagles but has decided to take a late offer by Bradford where he will join premiership team mates Steve Menzies, Glenn Hall and Heath L'Estrange. "I always wanted to finish my career in England - this opportunity came earlier than expected but the chance to play with good friends at a club which is on the rise accelerated my decision. "There is nothing sinister in the switch. I could have remained with Manly for two more years but decided the time is right now. I have loved my time with the club since I returned from Melbourne Storm. "It is a wonderful club with fantastic members. I will miss living and playing in the area but a football career is short and I want to satisfy a long held goal to play in England for a couple of seasons. "I'm glad I haven't had a lot of time to consider the switch. My manager came up with the deal, I thought about it and made the best decision for my immediate future. "I wish Manly all the success in the world. They have some good young halfback prospects who deserve an opportunity in the NRL," Orford said '"

Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls Quote The Manly Sea Eagles today announced the move of 2008 premiership captain and Dally M winner Matt Orford to the English Super League club Bradford Bulls. Orford had been negotiating a new two deal with the Sea Eagles but has decided to take a late offer by Bradford where he will join premiership team mates Steve Menzies, Glenn Hall and Heath L'Estrange. "I always wanted to finish my career in England - this opportunity came earlier than expected but the chance to play with good friends at a club which is on the rise accelerated my decision. "There is nothing sinister in the switch. I could have remained with Manly for two more years but decided the time is right now. I have loved my time with the club since I returned from Melbourne Storm. "It is a wonderful club with fantastic members. I will miss living and playing in the area but a football career is short and I want to satisfy a long held goal to play in England for a couple of seasons. "I'm glad I haven't had a lot of time to consider the switch. My manager came up with the deal, I thought about it and made the best decision for my immediate future. "I wish Manly all the success in the world. They have some good young halfback prospects who deserve an opportunity in the NRL," Orford said '"

Quote ="ABP'"Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls'" Must say I'm very jealous!

Quote ="ABP'"Matt Orford has signed for Bradford: www.mwse.com.au/default.aspx?s=a ... ford-bulls'" Must say I'm very jealous!

He's done very well to get a three year deal IMO.

I suppose it's just a matter of time before we announce Deacon...

So we get Deacon, I cant see him not playing at some point, so depends on what his wage is.

I can see some advantages, also some bad points, see how it goes.

But he's not one of the best HB's in Aus! He was gash last season and apart from the one stand out season he's not deserved all the hype he gets. Compare him with other HB's around his age in Lockyer, Trent, Johns, Kimmorley and he's just not at their level even tho some Bradford fans would like you to think he is.

It's not a good signing for Bradford IMO. It's a stop gap at best and i really think they should have signed Brough and tried to build a team round younger guys

He's signed, official announcement on wednesday but probably on the club website before then.

What I am happy about is that it was very unlikely we would sign anyone due to the cap, IL and the team must of been working their balls off to get this deal done! The thing I am not happy about is could we of got a decent prop for the same wage?

Are you serious about that question?

Define decent

Now think about a 30 year old who's been injured plenty for 2 years and is allegedly looking to get into coaching coming to a club who have a coach that's won the past 2 reserve grand finals, and a head coach that's extremely well qualified and served 5 years under Bellamy - quite an attractive proposition. And when you really want to work somewhere because you feel it will be good for your future (which is looking all but over at your current club as a player), you'd probably take a deal on terms in the new clubs favour.

You wont get a decent prop who's gonna teach Tomkins how to direct a team around the pitch, Good signing in my opinion with more than one eye on the developement of Tomkins...
I think Deacon will play a lot more than most people on here seem to think possibly regularly coming off the bench with Lu Lu moving to hooker to give piggy a rest ..

Yes i know u have Mcilorum but i just think this move is designed solely for Tomkins developement on the pitch more than off it and maybe Mcilorum could miss out in the short term ..